1. Development of affordable composite wing structure.
- Author
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Toi, Yasuhiro, Harada, Atsushi, Tanaka, Shigeki, Amaoka, Kazuaki, and Kikukawa, Hiroshige
- Subjects
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AIRPLANE wings , *AIRPLANE design , *COMPOSITE materials , *ENGINEERING tolerances - Abstract
A wide ranging 5-year study to expand advanced composite application in wing primary structures has started in Japan. The aim of this research is to develop innovative technology to provide improvement in parts count reduction and damage tolerance. The objective of this paper is to introduce the vision of the 5-year research program and demonstrate intermediate results of the concept. Structural concepts, materials and process selection for affordable and high performance structures are discussed. Some producibility element tests have been conducted in parallel with conceptual design studies. Resin Transfer Molding (RTM), Vacuum Assisted RTM (VaRTM) and stiffened co-bond panels with unique VaRTM stringers have been made with new RTM resin and carbon fiber textiles. Intensive case studies for structural concept have been conducted. Clarification of the design criteria for a composite wing, with potential to apply affordable materials and manufacturing technology, and substantiation methods are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2003
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